$14M Lawsuit Against Costco, Police Scandals, and $2.7M Award for Assaults at Juvenile Center

California’s June News Round-Up Features Cases of Abuse of Power, Injury Lawsuits Against Disney and Amazon, and Deadly Motorcycle Crashes

June 2025 has been marked by numerous serious incidents across California, leaving behind a trail of injury victims and fatalities. Adding to the concern, the California Department of Justice released a troubling statistic: hate crimes rose by 3% in 2024, with more than 2,000 cases reported statewide.

Continuing with civil rights violation cases, a jury awarded $3 million to a prosecutor who claimed she was fired due to employment discrimination and retaliation. Another high-profile lawsuit involves a family suing Walgreens and OptumRx Pharmaceuticals over the death of their asthmatic son. The family alleges that a sudden inhaler price increase prevented them from purchasing the medication in time.

Dog attacks also made headlines. The U.S. Postal Service reported that dog assaults on mail carriers reached their highest level in seven years. In a related case, former Antioch police officer Morteza Amiri was sentenced to seven years in prison for fraud and for encouraging his K-9 to brutally attack a suspect.

Transportation tragedies were also in the news this month. In Ventura County, a Metrolink train collided with a truck, resulting in one fatality. Elsewhere, in Sacramento, a light rail crash injured several passengers. In the air, a small plane carrying six people crashed off the coast. Finally, the tragic death of eight people after a boat capsized during a birthday celebration on Lake Tahoe left the community in shock.

California Personal Injury News Highlights for June 2025

From traffic collisions and police misconduct to product recalls and premises liability cases, June 2025 has brought a wide range of personal injury incidents to the forefront in California. These events have impacted people from all walks of life, whether commuting on motorcycles and e-bikes, shopping at major retailers, or simply going about their daily routines.

Cases of police misconduct, particularly incidents involving excessive use of force, remain a serious concern. Meanwhile, cities across California continue to pay millions of dollars to settle lawsuits filed by citizens injured at the hands of law enforcement.

Additionally, several major stories this month involved premises liability and defective product claims. Well-known companies such as Costco, Disney, and Amazon are now facing lawsuits filed by injury victims across the state.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to negligence, we are here to help. At Adamson Ahdoot, we focus on providing top-quality legal representation for personal injury cases. Our team will fight tirelessly to secure the compensation and justice you deserve.

Call us today at (800) 310-1606 or submit your case online for a free and confidential consultation.

Waymo Accident in San Francisco and Amazon’s Expansion into Robotaxi Production

Practice Area: Robotaxis

The development of autonomous vehicles has continued to advance slowly but steadily since the boom seen in 2023, when multiple companies began testing driverless cars on public roads. As a leader in technological innovation, California has become a key testing ground, with an increasing number of companies operating robotaxis across the state.

Last month, we reported on growing community concerns following Waymo’s announcement about operating in San Jose. Now, a new incident has reignited public debate over the safety of autonomous vehicles. The event took place in San Francisco, one of the cities in which Waymo currently operates. According to reports, a Waymo robotaxi stopped illegally on the side of the road to drop off a passenger. When the passenger unexpectedly opened the vehicle door, a passing cyclist collided with it and sustained serious injuries. The victim filed a lawsuit against Waymo, claiming the company failed to ensure safety for other road users.

Meanwhile, Amazon has officially announced its plans to enter the autonomous vehicle market. The company intends to manufacture up to 10,000 robotaxis annually at its new facility. Industry experts view this as a direct attempt to compete with Waymo in the growing autonomous transportation sector.

Multiple Fatalities in Motorcycle and E-Bike Collisions

Practice Area: Motorcycle and E-bike Accidents

As mentioned at the beginning of this blog, June was an especially tragic month due to the high number of fatal accidents involving motorcyclists and e-bike riders. Unfortunately, many of these incidents resulted in deaths because of the riders’ limited protection and vulnerability.

On the Livermore Interstate, a motorcyclist lost his life in a crash. In Orange County, another rider was killed after being struck by a suspected drunk driver. Lastly, in Hemet, a Kawasaki motorcyclist died when a pickup truck ran a red light and violently collided with him.

Regarding electric bicycles, in Tahoe, a female driver struck and killed a young girl riding an e-bike. On the Stanford University campus, the president of the Student Democrats died after being hit while riding an e-bike. Similarly, another Stanford student was fatally injured in a separate collision with a car.

Celebrity Crashes, Family Tragedies, and Fatal DUI Collisions in California

Practice Area: Car Accidents

Car accidents affect everyone, whether they are ordinary people or public figures. This month, California has witnessed numerous serious traffic incidents involving celebrities, families, and vulnerable pedestrians.

One of the most high-profile cases involves former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. The musician accepted a plea deal after being involved in a fatal collision. He pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence and agreed to compensate the victim’s family.

California is also mourning the death of former San Jose State University football star Chandler Jones, who tragically died at the age of 33 in a traffic accident. In another celebrity-related case, the wife of a Getty Oil heir faces a lawsuit after allegedly causing a crash with her Porsche that left a pedestrian with permanent brain damage.

Serious crashes have also impacted families and vulnerable road users. In Oakland, a head-on collision reportedly involving alcohol left one person dead and another injured. In Sonoma County, a driver who crossed the center line on Highway 121 killed a man and injured a mother and her two children.

Meanwhile, in the Bay Area, a man in a wheelchair was killed in a hit-and-run. Police have arrested the suspect, who now faces DUI charges. In downtown Los Angeles, two people were ejected from their vehicles in a major crash believed to have been caused by a red-light violation. Additionally, a police pursuit in Inglewood ended in a head-on collision, leaving two children injured.

Police Failure to Protect and Excessive Force Scandals

Practice Area: Police Misconduct

Beyond the now all-too-common traffic accidents resulting from police pursuits and interventions, the liability of law enforcement agencies in California for cases of police misconduct remains a key public concern this month.

In Los Angeles County, authorities agreed to pay $2.7 million in compensation to a teenage victim of institutional abuse. The young man was brutally beaten by inmates while several juvenile center officers reportedly failed to intervene.

Further north, the city of Rio Dell continues to deal with the financial consequences of former Sergeant Kevin Murray’s actions. Over the past four years, Murray accumulated multiple complaints of excessive force. Lawsuits tied to his conduct have cost the small city nearly one-third of its annual police budget.

Lastly, public outrage grew after former sheriff’s deputy Trevor Kirk was allowed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor, despite a jury having found him guilty of felonies. The case includes video footage of Kirk forcibly knocking down and pepper-spraying an elderly woman.

Abuse of Power and Sexual Offenses

Practice Area: Sexual Abuse and Harassment

In an alarming case of police negligence and sexual abuse, San Jose police officer Timothy Faye was arrested for allegedly firing his weapon negligently while intoxicated inside his ex-girlfriend’s home. The incident resulted in one death and serious injuries. Faye also faces separate charges of child sexual abuse involving his fiancée’s eight-year-old daughter.

Meanwhile, in Redondo Beach, 37-year-old youth soccer coach Jared Crevar was arrested for attempting to meet a minor and for possessing child pornography.

In a similar incident, a former teacher from Berkeley is facing criminal charges for having sexual encounters with underage students. This case has sparked significant concern within the local education community.

Disney, Costco, and California Detention Facility Injury Lawsuits

Practice Area: Premises Liability

In June 2025, liability for personal injury sustained at popular commercial venues and entertainment facilities was a prominent topic across the country. One of the most high-profile cases involved Walt Disney World’s Blizzard Beach water park, where a man filed a lawsuit after sustaining catastrophic injuries on the Downhill Double Dipper slide. According to the complaint, the slide’s excessive speed caused him to be launched into the air and land violently on a hard plastic surface.

Another significant case that has previously been covered on this blog involves the $2.7 million settlement that Los Angeles County agreed to pay to a teenager who was brutally assaulted at a juvenile detention center. Beyond the issue of police misconduct, the case highlights serious institutional negligence in failing to prevent violent altercations between inmates.

In the commercial sector, a woman filed a $14 million lawsuit against Costco after suffering severe and permanent injuries. According to her claim, she was browsing the furniture aisle when a liquor cabinet allegedly fell on her.

Lawsuits Against Amazon, Massive Air Conditioner Recalls, and Food Safety Alerts

Practice Area: Product Responsibility

In consumer news, a California man has filed a lawsuit against Amazon after sustaining serious injuries in an accident involving an e-bike purchased through the platform. The accident occurred when the handlebars of the electric bike suddenly failed, causing him to fall. Amazon was also involved in a major product recall in June 2025. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), around 100,000 mattresses sold on Amazon were recalled for failing to meet federal flammability standards.

One of the largest recalls this month involved 1.7 million Midea air conditioning units due to health risks. These appliances, sold by retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, pose a risk of mold growth and respiratory problems. To date, 152 incidents have been reported, including at least 17 cases of respiratory injuries or allergic reactions.

In a related case, safety alerts were issued for certain Zicam and Orajel nasal swabs and baby teething products due to potential microbiological contamination.

In the automotive sector, Ford has announced a recall of almost 200,000 Mustang Mach-E vehicles due to a defect that could prevent occupants from exiting the vehicle.

The food industry has also faced numerous recalls of unsafe products:

• Dozens of people across California and several other states have fallen ill due to a salmonella outbreak linked to eggs.
• Springville Meat has recalled over 15,000 pounds of beef jerky and snacks due to possible contamination.
• Several batches of Topo Chico bottles have been recalled from Costco and other retailers due to contamination risks.
• The USDA has issued a health alert warning that Organic Rancher brand ground beef sold at Whole Foods may be contaminated with E. coli.
• A deadly listeria outbreak has been linked to fettuccini Alfredo with chicken distributed by Kroger and Walmart.
• Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup was recalled over concerns of bacterial contamination.
• Over 6,000 units of Breyers ice cream have been recalled for containing undeclared allergens.

Did You Suffer an Injury in a California Accident in June 2025? Contact Us!

This month’s accident cases are a powerful reminder that life can change in an instant. Whether you’re enjoying a birthday boat trip, shopping for furniture, or simply riding your bike, no one expects tragedy, but it can happen.

At Adamson Ahdoot, we bring over 100 years of combined legal experience to every case. Our team is committed to standing up for injury victims across California and securing the compensation and justice they deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, harmed by a defective product, or affected by any other act of negligence, don’t face it alone.

Call us today at (800) 310-1606 or submit your case online for a free, confidential consultation. We can help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.